The seven local authorities providing services to East Lancashire will share more than £27 million of levelling up cash from Whitehall.

The government today announced the pre-Christmas grants bonanza from its Shared Prosperity Fund.

The final awards follow a comprehensive assessment of the authorities' investment plans for the cash.

The all-purpose Blackburn with Darwen Council will get £6,784,314, while Burnley is to receive £3,488,102 and Hyndburn will get £2,943,592.

Pendle Council is to receive £3,626,135, Ribble Valley has been handed £1,967,754 and Rossendale will be getting £2,643,864.

Lancashire County Council, which provides services such as highways, adult and children's social and education to the latter six boroughs has been awarded £5,911,987.

This makes a total of £27,365,748.

The grants from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities are a key part of the government's agenda to boost economies in the North of England.

Blackburn with Darwen Council will use the cash to create business growth and skills, culture, and support young people.

It dovetails with its £250m masterplan for Blackburn Town Centre, which includes the redevelopment of the former Thwaites brewery site, and the £100m Darwen Town Deal.

Hyndburn Council will use the cash for the greening of Accrington town centre, business support, low carbon initiatives, the redevelopment of Accrington's Market Hall and Burtons Chambers, regeneration, arts, culture and heritage.

Burnley Council proposes to use it to help community groups improve their neighbourhoods; for a programme of investment in green spaces and play areas; support to assist businesses to become productive, reduce their carbon footprint and create new jobs; and help the jobless find employment, education and training.

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are pleased that our plans for almost £7m from the Shared Prosperity Fund have been agreed by Government.

“We worked really hard with partners on an ambitious bid for Blackburn with Darwen focused on new business growth and skills opportunities, culture and place-making, and supporting young people.

“This funding will help support the transformational plans we’re already delivering on – including the masterplan for Blackburn Town Centre and the Darwen Town Deal.

“While this really is good news for the borough, we continue to work against a really difficult backdrop of a history of significant underfunding.

“The money will be put to very good use, but in reality is significantly less than the European funding it is replacing.”

Hyndburn Council leader, independent Cllr Miles Parkinson, said: "This is fantastic news.

"Our submitted projects include greening of Accrington Town Centre; a curated programme of arts, cultural and heritage events; plus a masterplan for the Arndale Centre.

"All designed to generate footfall, kick-start economic growth, support local businesses and improve wellbeing for the people of our borough.”

Ribble Valley Council leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: “We have often missed out on Government funding in the past so it is pleasing that rural areas like Ribble Valley - which also need investment - are finally receiving support.”

Burnley Council leader Cllr Afrasiab Anwar said: "It’s good news to see almost £3.5 million of investment coming into our borough over the next three years."

Hyndburn Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe said: “This is fantastic news, an early Christmas present of sorts."

Her Burnley Parliamentary colleague Antony Higginbotham said: “It's brilliant that Burnley has secured £3.4m.

"It comes on top of the £20m we secured through the Levelling Up Fund."

"For far too long we’d be forgotten in London. Not anymore!”

Rossendale and Darwen Tory MP Sir Jake Berry said: "This is fantastic news for Rossendale and will help continue our mission to level-up the Valley.

"Exciting projects include kick starting the regeneration of Waterfoot Arcade, improving Haslingden Market and helping to create a new skills centre for young people."

A Rossendale Council spokeswoman said: "Projects earmarked to receive funding include further works to improve centre of Haslingden, an action plan for the centre of Waterfoot, Victoria and Whitaker Parks improvements, three new 3G pitches and the creation of business advisor post."

Pendle Council's economic development manager said: “Projects which will be funded include supporting households with energy needs, helping community groups reach out to children and young people, improving our town centres and helping businesses become more energy efficient and carbon neutral.”